Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 551 — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

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Colonel Yoke Norman had not yet declared bim- self, but everybody knew he was a candidate. There would be a struggle between him and the nt official. This made a good deal of talk, ut as it was generally expected that, after some hard feeling, one would be given place over the other, and that the ‘“ Blacks” would finally vote solidly against the ‘‘ Reds,” few of the bet- ter cluss expected to see the latter faction pre- sent much strength at the polls. What they did fear wasariot from the self- same Reds, and if they had been aware of Nathan Bradley’s schemes, they might well have feared the Reds’ ballot, also, Somewhat to Brackett’s surprise, no more had been heard of the incendiary resolutions passed ned oe Reds in meeting, but he was not deceived this. : "He argued ill from this silence, and future events were destined to prove his judgment There was one cause for rejoicing at the Brackett house. Alice’s illness was a thing of the past. She had improved steadily, constant- ly, and sorapidly that all were surprised. It was abundantly shown that, instead of the weak constitution imparted to her by Mrs, Brackett, she bad an excellent constitution, and it did her good service on this occasion, On the second day of her illness she sat up; on the third she was about the house; on the fourth she declared that she was aay well, Neither her father nor Dr. Crandall had made new discoveries. No report bad been received from Boise City, and it was impossible to say whether there was ground for suspicion of foul play. ntil this point was settled, every cerned would remain quiet. Garry Kean wasstill in the *‘ city.” Hecame and went about the place freely, and had no further trouble. None of his enemies, known or unknown, had done more to annoy him, Out- ward appearances might well cause the belief that they had seen enough of him, and resolved pose him alone, but he was not deceived by the u Every moment he expected another attack from Nathan Bradley or Elmer Nicholson, and was prepared to meet them when they moved. ‘He had an object in remaining at Jack’s De- light, and did not intend to leave until he was ready, enemies or no enemies, It was a surprise to him when he received an invitatation to the masquerade ball. His straightforward,.manly conduct had not been without effect upon the better class of citizens, and many of them had spoken in a friendly wa to him of late, but he had not expected an invi- tation on this occasion, Having received it, he was not, at first, sure that he would accept it. He had no serious thoughts of doing so until he learned that Alice Brackett always attended such gatherings, and one con- would probably do so again. From that time Kean was not in doubt; he decided to go. The evenful evening came. The City Hall, in which the ball was to take place, was brilliantly lighted. The building itself was not to be scorned as a work of architecture. It was , contained many rooms, among which were the various court-rooms and city offices, and a big hail well fitted for dancing. The peo- ple were proud of their building, and they had reason to be. In due time the guests began to arrive. Nearly all came in mask, and in costumes intended to The prominent - exceptions were Judge Brackett and Mayor Nicholson, and a few other prominent men who Ay. ‘a ae 7 ¢ » @ >. ~ Th 7 4 C ‘? ’ ‘ Bas & »* J 7) ae * ee “ay, did not intend to dance, Mrs, Brackett was there as Cleopatra. She had a really fine costume, but, despite a mask, it was not much of a disguise. She did not in- tend it should be. Not willingly would she be deprived of the admiration usually showe-ed upon her; she preferred to let every one know her identity without appearing to do so, and make sure that Cleopatra had as much ad- miration as Mrs, Brackett would if not dis- _ Alice was there as a shepherd girl. Since she could not dance she would gladly have dispensed with a disguise, which could be no disguise, but Garry Kean. as all other ladies wore masks and costumes, she had to follow their example. Garry Kean figured as a Highlander. With his experience as an actor he might have out- done all others, artistically, but, knowing that he would thereby betray himself beyond recall, he had aimed to disguise his identity so com- pletely that no one would recognize him, yet to make his costume seem careless and clumsy. A certain number of invitations had been issued, and as the guests entered, the invitation- cards were carefully received at the door. This was done so that no person could gain entrance who was not invited, and the managers flattered themselves that they had succeeded to a charm, They were never more mistaken. No person over the specified number was there, yet at least two had entered who were not invit- ed and not wanted. One masqueraded asa Roman senator, and a more complete disguise could not have been found. His head was so masked and muffled that he might have becn a negro and not be- trayed thefact. This man was Nathan Bradley, and it was uot without an object that he had made himself up as a Roman. Having secured entrance by a trick, he had payed another sharp trick in assuming the part. nowing that he could defy recognition, he looked forward to a time when, unless bis aims miscarried, he would be mistaken for Garry Kean. The second unbidden guest was Thad Johnson. It was a great night in that man’s life. He had been forbidden to dance by Bradley, and did not know bow to dance, anyway, so he intended to act a very quiet part, but it was a triumph to go among the people who, he thought, hated him because he was poor and humble. Really, he owed his lowly condition to his low nature, and vicious way, but ke did not know that, and was exultant over his situation. .. He was bunglingly made up as a centurion. Thus, the antagonistic elements of the drama were thrown together, and of those in mask, Kean, Bradley and Johnson were not likely to be recognized if they tried to keep their identity secret, Dancing began, but only one of the actors in the drama took part. Mrs. Brackett was in her glory, and did not intend to lose any part of the evening’s amusement, She was a skillful dancer, and it was her intention to keep on the floor about all the time, Bradley sought Thad Johnson’s presence. ‘*How does it seem to be in Paradise?” he asked, ironically. ‘*This is glorious!” Thad declared. seen the like! Did you?” ‘‘ Did I? Well, I should say so. I’ve moved in society in my day, old man; bang-up good society ; and this isn’t a circumstance to it. For a’wayback blow-out this is fair, but as to an average, it’s crude—terribly so, Thad,” ‘Wish I could dance.” ““ Go in ” ‘Not I!” wisely declared the big bravo. "* Electa Parsons is here.” ** Ya-as: takin’ good keer o’ your Alice.” ‘‘She shall be mine before morning. Thus I’ve heard several **T never far, my scheme works well. rsous say that I am Kean.” ‘* That’s encouragin’,” _ Yes; Ill fix ample guilt on him before morn- ng.” i Are you sure he isthe chap in Highland rig ** Yes. I wouldn’t know him, but our tip was straight.” : ** Alice stays by her dad.” ‘* He stays by her, you mean, but it will not last long. Brackett owes something to crv ety and the other solid men of the town will gobble bim up for weighty talk, When he leaves the girl’s side, | shall get to work. As usual, Electa is a rock in the way, but she must be tipped over, so to speak,” ** You ain’t told me yer plan, port ‘Thaddeus, when the original serpent wanted to make trouble in the world, whom did he get for bis ally?” Mr. Johnson was not any more of a Biblical scholar than he was an honest man; he gave it up, and said as much, ‘*A woman!” Nathan added, coolly, ‘ That was policy, then, and it’s policy in this gener- ation. If you have a villainous scheme to work, get a woman for an ally; villainy comes natural to them.” ‘* Strange you should like ’em so,” e ‘My esteemed friend, if villainy is woman’s birthright, sg, § is man’s, All men are fools in some degree. 1am one—hence, my fancy for a woman. But to resume: Marie, the charming French maid of Madam Brackett, is my ally.” ** Does she know it?” ‘** Does she? Well, I should remark! It is all arranged, and she will help me in due time. Now, off! Unknown as we are, we do not want tobe too much together. It might tell against us,” ‘* Kin I ry: you, boss?” ‘You will have your part to play later. By the way, can you disguise your voice, and take that barsh grating out of it?” ‘“*T kin try.” ‘““Doso. There is a good deal of grizzly bear in your nature; you want to tameit. You may have to play a delicate part, presently.” They separated, and Nathan kept at a distance from those who would be most aN ig to recog- nize him. He had his plot all laid, but precipi- tation might ruin it. hile the ball was in its first stages even Alice, though she did not dance, would not care to go away. Whatever might be the sequel, the ball was thus far a success, The disguises, though usually crude and bungling, were noticeably good, and ° those who kept control of their voices were able to conceal their identity. Much uncertainty and amusement followed. Presently a trim little woman tripped lightly to where Alice sat, with Electa standing guard over her like a warrior. ‘* Ah! mademoiselle!” cried the little woman, ‘‘is it not lovely?” Alice easily recognized the voize of Marie, her step-mother’s maid. ‘‘The music is very fine, and they seem to be enjoying themselves,” Miss Brackett replied. ‘* Ah! me; don’t you wish you were among ze dancers?” ‘‘ That is impossible, you know.” Alice spoke quietly and philosophically, but Electa was not in that vein. . ‘*Don’t always be harpin’ on things that brings up one’s misfortin’s!” she severely ex- claimed, ‘“‘ Never mind, Electa,” Alice lightly returned. “Marie means no harm. I cannot better any- thing by useless repinings over my misfortune, If I fail to see much that is worth seeing, I also lose much that might trouble me.” ‘* Zat is ze true spirit!” Marie declared. ‘‘ No von is more pained to think of ze trouble zat is yours, mademoiselle, Ah! is it not very warm here?” ‘*It is uncomfortable,” Alice admitted. ‘* Why you not go to ze conservatory?” ‘* The wonders there would be lost upon me.” ‘‘ But not ze fresh air. You look pale, made- moiselle. Vy not try ze promenade? Marie spoke with what seemed to be kind so- licitude, and as evil chance would have it, her suggestion impressed Alice favorably. ‘*T do believe | will act upon your idea,” she answered, ‘‘Come, Electa; let us go to the con- servatory. At this early hour we shall find the place nearly, or quite, deserted.” Ordinarily, Electa would haveapproved of the idea, but, as Marie had first mentioned it, she stood as stiff as a ramrod when her young mis- tress arose, ‘* We ain’t so sure o’ that,” she r nded. “ Even if some one is there, it need not trouble us, ‘‘The Reds may be thar!” ‘* Nonsense, Electa!” ‘Or ze Roman senator,” added Marie, ‘‘ What's he got ter do about it?” tartly asked Miss Parsons. ‘* Zey do say he ees Monsieur Garry Kean!” Marie lowered her voice and pretended to be very secretive, but she watched the result close- ly. The opinion was general that the Roman was Kean, but the artful French girl wished to see if Alice was aware of the fact. The mask hid Miss Brackett’s face, but Marie was satis- fied: Alice had heard the prevailing rumor, and unless she was in Kean’s confidence and knew that he was not the Roman, it was likely that she was similarly deceived. The plot was beginning to work, Leaning upon Electa’s arm Alice began the journey, and as Abram Brackett was in an- othepart of the room, be did not see her go. Marie flitted along on Alice’s other side, ready to foil any possible obstacle to her plan. ‘¢ The conservatory,” so called, was a pleasant adjunct of the City Hall. It had been planned and fitted up by a man of wealth who would have done other good things for the *‘ city” had not death removed him prematurely. The con- servatory was a garden in-doors. Trees, shrubs and plants grew in buge tubs, or were mounted on blocks, and the whole formed a very fair re- semblance to what the name implied. Rustic benches were scattered about, and one might wander along the devious paths with neighbors close at hand, yet never see them unless they came face to face. é It was a pleasant place, and a favorite resort, yet. Alice would have done well to avoid it that night. Marie smiled evilly as they left the hall, CHAPTER XXII. THE DEVOTEES OF AMBITION. Evecta looked around with grim disapproval when they entered the conservatory. It wasa place of no mean pretensious, but she found no pleasure in it, There was enough to attract young, romantic persons, but the lights were not numerous enough to prevent dark recesses between the pots of shrubs, and these, she thought, might hide even more numerous lurk- ing ‘* Reds,” he good woman held her e, however, Marie was all life and animation. She chat- tered rapidly, commenting upon the resort, its attractions and its solitude, but finally an- Gomiuce o(oKo) 3 e 4 - 4 & te ' . . we -